The many faces of Sarah Khan

Sarah Khan is among those Pakistani actresses who came to prominence in a short span of time because of her distinct style, beauty and of course, acting skills. Started her career as a teen star in a drama serial Badi Aapa (2012), Sarah didn’t look back and got her breakthrough in just three years with a negative character of an opportunist girl in Alvida (2015) for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Hum Awards. Soon she started to appear in leading roles and gave back to back hit characters in dramas like Tumhare Hain, Nazr-e-Bad, Yaar-e-Bewafa, Belapur Ki Dayan, Karamat-e-Ishq, Mere Bewafa, Band Khirkiyan, Mere Humdam, Deewar-e-Shab, Sabaat, Raqs-e-Bismil, Laapata, and a rom-com serial Hum Tum.

The Laapata actress is renowned for her simplicity which is adored by not only her fans but the industry as well. This week BOLD had a chance to speak to this diva about her career, project choices and married life. We initiated the interview by speaking about her first comedy role that she played in the drama serial Hum Tum. She excitedly shared the experience of how she took this project as a challenge since she has never been offered or played comedy plays.

She was in a very candid mood as she was back on sets again after her maternity break.

“Maha was the first comedy character of my career. I was a bit nervous in the beginning, but it proved to be quite challenging yet interesting for me. Honestly, I thought I could never do a comedy role and even didn’t want to do one but somehow I accepted ‘Hum Tum’ and have realised that why I didn’t do it ever. Now I have the confidence to explore this genre more.”

She added that every new role is a challenge for an actor but for me doing a comedy for the first time was a real risk. “I really enjoyed it to the fullest. The situations were so funny in the serial that we all used to laugh all day on shoot.”

Surprisingly, Khan proudly owns her negative or grey characters which, many may agree, are completely in contrast with the actress’s actual personality. So, how challenging were those antagonist roles she has done so far? “Actually I enjoyed playing evil characters the most. I believe these roles gave me more margin of acting as I had to go completely against my real personality. Being an actor, the more varied roles you adapt, the more you explore your talent.”

Two years back Sarah tied the knot with singer Falak Shabir in a fairy tale affair. The couple has been blessed with a daughter Alyana, born October last year.

As there is an actor and a singer under one roof, have you ever considered trying some singing with him? Sarah smiled softly in her signature style and admitted that they both had been offered projects by renowned brands and platforms to sing together but she was not ready for that at that moment. “I believe, acting and singing are two very different fields. It is very rare that an actor is similarly good at singing as well. I have always wanted to do acting so I should not plunge into things in which I am not expert in or have learned. So, at the moment, I am not interested in singing.”

As far as Falak is concerned, Sarah is not sure whether he would try his luck in acting too. However, Sarah agreed that she has seldom tried singing with her husband at home, but for practicing to mold her voice for high pitch. “I sometimes have to try a bit harder when delivering my dialogues in loud notes. As Falak do riaaz (practice on vocal chords) on harmonium every morning, I also join him to work on my own vocal chords, which is called gala kholna in musical terms. I only do it to the limit which can help me in my acting.” She further adds humour to her answer by telling us what benefit she has of marrying a singer, “One of the benefits of marrying a singer is that you can work on your vocal chords with him.”

If her fans should start waiting to watch Sarah Khan practicing singing as well in any video on social media, Sarah said that they shouldn’t because she thinks her voice is horrible. “I don’t want to show it to our fans. But you never know, Falak may put up those funny videos someday. You know he is fond of randomly making my videos and uploading them on social media.”

Sarah’s eyes sparkle with happiness and warmth when she talks about her daughter Alyana. She is seven months old now and was only three when Sarah resumed working. She finds it a blessing to be a mother but at the same time experience thorough change in life when managing a newborn with work as well.

“I think when a woman becomes a mother, she gets a special strength at the same time. God has made a woman so strong and powerful that she manages it all. My daughter keeps wide awake all night literally. So, I am sleep deprieved all the time. But here I would mention that if your spouse is supportive, things are managed with much ease. Falak supports me at every moment(s) in life. If I  ever have a son, I wish he would entirely walk in the footsteps of his father.”

Her fans are ususally curious if Sarah can speak Arabic as she was born in Madina, Saudi Arabia from a Lebanese mother and a Pakistani father.It is also a surprise that she does not have an Arabic accent and speaks Urdu fluently.

“We are four siblings; three sisters and one brother, all born in KSA. My sister Noor and I came back to Pakistan when we were very young to get enrolled into school as at that time, there was not a proper schooling in Madina. That is why our Urdu is very clear. But I wish my daughter could speak Arabic with other languages.”

Acting is Sarah’s passion but she has set a personal boundary or limit for her, and if something is beyond those lines, she would say no to that role or character. So, on replying to if she has ever thought or offered of trying her acting skills in film, Sarah was firm that if she ever gets a character according to her demand, she would love to do that. “I am sure I would perform better if I am comfortable with my character”, she added.

She also revealed about her lack of dancing skills. “I even didn’t dance at my sister’s wedding but yes, I did it at my wedding only.” Laughs.

Sarah has just wrapped a shoot of a web series for a local platform and shared that her experience was wonderful. She’s quite hopeful about the genre of OTT platforms and web series, where our actors are already doing wonders nationally and internationally as well.

She shared that working with Bilal Abbas for the series was another amazing experience. However, she could not reveal much about the series yet confirmed that it is going to be released soon. “It is a romantic story and I am sure people will be entertained well.” She added.

Having an infectious smile and adorable personality, Sarah Khan has made a place in the industry with her powerful acting and in fans’ hearts with her simplicity and innocence.

Sarah Khan started her career in 2012 with a role of a teenage girl Sarmeen in drama serial Badi Aapa. After doing a few more supporting roles for a couple of years, Sarah appeared in leading role as Anushey in drama serial Sultanat-e-Dil.

Her notable characters are:

• Aania in Tumhare Hain (2017), a story of love triangle.
• Maham in Nazr-e-Bad (2017) drama about the old superstitious concept of Nazr-e-Bad or evil eye.
• Natasha of Belapur Ki Dayan, a supernatural horror drama serial in which Sarah’s character is possessed by a ghost.
• Suboohi in Band Khirkiyan (2018), where she played a wife of a loving but possessive man.
• Miraal a young arrogant woman belonging to the elite family in Sabaat (2021).
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• Zohra, a prostitute with heart of gold in Raqs-e-Bismil (2020).
• Falak a middle class girl who is good at studies and fond of playing badminton and love interest of his cousin Shams in drama serial Laapata (2021).
• Maha in Ramzan special play Hum Tum (2022).